Review
Release Date: 11.20.2002
Platform:
XboxDeveloper:
Ubisoft EntertainmentPublisher:
Ubisoft EntertainmentReviewed by
Wade Monnig on 4.28.2003
Dragon’s Lair was the game I played at the arcades when I really wanted to impress the ladies (Well, back when I thought ladies would be impressed by my videogame prowess). Not only did it show I had financial independence (A full 50 cents to play a game) but the simple timing/memorization gameplay meant that once you mastered the game, it was only a matter of finding the coolest way to press each direction while flashing a smile to your adoring fans. It was this type of nostalgia that Ubi Soft was hoping to recapture with Dragon’s Lair 3D.
A first glance, it seems that developer Dragonstone had all the right ingredients to achieve this. The visuals are astounding, bringing the animated look of the laser disc original under the control of the player with skillful use of cel shading. The audio includes all of Dirk’s trademark Eeps! Erks! and Wahs! Along with the sultry voice of Princess Daphne. Dirk has the freedom to wander around the included 250 rooms of the castle and try out moves such as sneaking, climbing, rolling and crouching.
However, once the game actually begins, the faults quickly become apparent. Even the simplest tasks such as running and jumping are flawed. For instance, the running speed is painfully slow and simply movement is large areas is arduous. Jumping is also imprecise with even the simplest jumps requiring real effort to set them up effectively. Dirk’s trademark slightly hunched poses and movements are nice but the foot placement is all wrong for a jumping. This stance makes it hard to tell exactly which direction he is pointing. Sneaking is even worse, since he spreads his feet even further apart making it harder to be precise when trying to be stealthy. When you factor in the less than stellar camera, the frustration level quickly rises.
The camera is not only a constant fight but the real shocker is that Dirk moves a little bit when the camera does. So, while you are fighting your way down the electrified floor to defeat the first boss, what was a perfectly safe position a moment before the camera moved to the left or right now puts you in harms way. The swinging camera also gets into the act when trying to jump and grab a ledge, making it both annoying and imprecise.
The Combat is simple; just pound the Sword button to execute a combination. You can pretty much forget about defending since the area that Dirk deflects an attack in is so small. He only defends attacks in a roughly 20-degree area directly in front of him. If multiple enemies are present, it is virtually useless. You are better off just taking a hit while swinging than trying to defend while hoping the angle is just right to deflect the attack. The imprecise jumping also means that the jump attack is hopelessly inaccurate.
What makes these flaws all the more frustrating is that beneath these shortcomings is an excellent concept and some great ideas. There are some truly innovative puzzles salvaged from the original game that are a joy to conquer. The boss battles weave the Dragon’s Lair nostalgia into the game with great visual aplomb.
Dragon’s Lair 3D is only for die-hard fans of the original arcade release. The linearity and tragically flawed control cast a pall over the entire title.
